2002 Feudo Monaci, Salice Salentino, Rosso ($8.99 Local Supermarket). Alcohol 13%. It is 80% Negroamaro and 20% Malvasia rosso without a trace of Primitivo. This seems to be the blend and price of SS these days. This one did the job nicely. Gave plums and lusty black fruit on the nose and tongue tip. More of the same, with musty earthy, controlled oak, and slightly chewey tannin across the palate, and a respectable finish.

Matched nicely as we hoped with penne in pesto, broiled local garlic sausages, and salad in blue cheese dressing. Suspect that was our last pesto of the season; sigh!

I know that Roberto, but generally the amount does not affect the wine much, and if it does, it's likely more than the legal limit; most producers don't mention it on the label--why else would they have a DOC system to protect us???

Where have you been lately?Resting or sparring? Look for my article in Decanter. I don't know when, actually don't even know if they will print it, but they did commission it from me. It's about niche wine retailing in NYCity and it's due for submission in October--maybe for December/January issue.

Another bottle tonight with much the same meal. How? Well, I found a half portion of pesto in the freezer that was at least two years old! It was frozen without the cheese, garlic, salt, and cream. These were added back tonight. Result? Better than canned pesto.